Concert Musician and retired piano teacher Elizabeth A. Hagenah’s love of life didn’t come to an end with her death. Elizabeth passed away at the age of 96 after three strokes. Her loved ones will continue to honor her legacy by living their lives to the fullest in remembrance and thankfulness for “Mom’s” love and many kindnesses throughout the years.
Valedictorian of her high school class and Tanglewood Fellow; also among Ms. Hagenah’s achievements are winning the prestigious U.S. Fulbright Scholarship for two years, performing frequent solo piano concerts in Manhattan’s Town Hall. Elizabeth was also founder of Stockbridge Chamber Concerts International, Inc. With her colleagues who are principals and members of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, SCC presented concerts for more than three decades, including many summer and holiday concerts at Searles Castle in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. She was a sponsor of the Young Artist Concerts to help encourage very talented young classical musicians, and premiered music by many American and contemporary composers. Elizabeth Hagenah’s work as a professor of music on the faculty of Boston University’s School of Music led to her advanced work, following her Master’s Degree, toward the completion of a doctorate in music at the Eastman School of music. Elizabeth also wrote the book entitled “The Piano Without Hammers” to help solve many pianistic problems. and is listed in “Who’s Who of Music and Musicians”. Her many students have gone on to win numerous awards and prizes, tour nationally and internationally and achieve doctoral degrees and positions as piano faculty in colleges and universities.
Elizabeth in her latter years, was cared for by her daughter, Lene. She eventually moved with her to Kentucky and enjoyed visiting Nashville (wanting to attend piano performances & the Grand Old Opry theater); The Mississippi River ( which reminded her of her husband’s, Henry Hagenah’s Mark Twain impersonations), visiting the Land-Between-the-Lakes, marinas, restaurants and all the beautiful farmlands in-between the local towns. She often would mention how beautiful the rural farm landscapes were in Kentucky and Tennessee and how it had reminded her of growing up on her family farm in Leroy, New York.
She was a Christian in the truest sense of the word, selflessly devoted her time and energy to helping others as well as contributing to many charitable causes. She lived her life with great zeal in all that she did and had a myriad of fascinations and interests which, along with all that’s been previously mentioned, included a love for travel, history, and nature. She traveled to many states in her elder years with her daughter, read voraciously, played hymns on the piano, took walks in the fields and nearby hickory grove woods and loved to play with her cats. Besides the piano, she loved coffeehouses, reading, arts & crafts (weaving & painting), theater. So many times these past years she especially enjoyed just sitting on the porch, or in the back yard, with her cats curled up on her lap, or eating lunch outside at her favorite umbrella table. She even did some kayaking. Passersby in wonderful Murray couldn’t resist her smile and would stop by to say hello or drop off some flowers for her to enjoy, and to also enjoy her warm, kind & friendly company. She often remarked as she looked out over the sunny yard and fields at the farm “look how beautiful everything is, I just want to sit here for hours, it’s such a beautiful blue sky.”
She is survived by: her children, Henry Hagenah of Becket, Massachusetts, Helene (Lene) Hagenah of Kentucky, William Hagenah of NewYork City; her grandchildren, Sareda (Sarah) Hagenah of Boston MA., Iliana Hagenah of NewYork City, Graham of Boston MA; and her sister Esther Hammer & family.
No services are planned at this time.
To friends, family and extended family: Thank you for all the condolences, love and encouragement that has meant so much to my brothers and I.
“ I WILL SAIL THIS SHIP NO MORE”
Written for piano & voice in honor of my mother, Elizabeth Artman Hagenah,
by Helene (Elenya) E. Hagenah
From the lonely shores of Moher, I will sail this ship no more.
The flowing ebb of time the distance ringing chime
has made me closer to seaward climb.
This ocean bird is like a caged wing
it wants to fly and dance & sing again
Emotion set in flight right into the silvery night
is where I want to be
For we will gaze into his glory, we will lift our hands to heaven
we will stand in Gods glorious light, when you leave us here tonight.
Just like a shade of sycamore tree
I know one that stands aloft the sea edge
It’s essence story of old a plea to come home and behold
she stands out amongst the rest
as the whispering eagles know their flight
the fading memories I will not fright
you know the direction is heaven
you played harmonic progression
the piano you knew so well
Will you remember this old country town
Will we see your smile again
My heart feels the loss knowing the difference you made
Farewell Mom for now.
So I’ll watch you sail into the sunset
and leave all this behind
to peaceful shores unknown
a heavenly kingdom shown
You can count on that Dear Mom.
For we will gaze into His glory
We will lift our hands to heaven
We will stand in God’s glorious light,
When you leave us here tonight.
Words & Music to ‘I Will Sail This Ship No More’ are Copyright 2021 by Helene E. Hagenah
Please join family and friends in honoring the life of Mrs. Elizabeth Artman Hagenah by visiting www.imesfh.com and posting your tributes and memories.
Imes Funeral Home & Crematory, downtown Murray is entrusted with caring for the family of Mrs. Elizabeth Hagenah.